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October 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 9 |
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Top Stories
Vet Corps on
Campus Mal Hoover: Medical
Illustrator Exotics conference coming soon |
Regular Features
New Arrivals/Recent Departures
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  bonus
stories*
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Dr. Nagaraja gets $1 million to study E. coli Despite years of scientific research on E. coli O157:H7, Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, professor of microbiology, says there is still much we don’t know about the food-borne, disease-causing bacterium which has been the cause of human illnesses, and in the last two years several million pounds of ground beef recalls. However, with nearly $1 million in grant funds from the USDA National Research Initiative in Food Safety, Dr. Nagaraja is hopeful that new research will lead to a better understanding of the possible connection between E. coli O157:H7 and feeding of distiller’s grain in cattle. Distiller’s grain, a byproduct of the ethanol production process, contains the leftovers after the starch content is converted to ethanol from corn. It is used as a feed supplement for cattle, and contains higher concentrations of protein, fiber and fat than regular feed. In 2005, during an unrelated study, Dr. Nagaraja and his co-workers observed a possible link between distillers grain feeding and increased presence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle feces. He and his team then began to investigate their observations in a series of four studies, three of which found a statistically significant link between feeding distiller’s grain and increased E. coli O157:H7 presence. “This was a very intriguing observation, which no one else had made,” Dr. Nagaraja said. “We still don’t know much about E. coli O157:H7, so anything we do to increase knowledge about the bacterium in cattle will make us one step closer to controlling the problem.” This major finding has prompted a whole new string of
questions and possibilities concerning the presence, transmission and
containment of In December 2007, Dr. Nagaraja and Dr. Dave Renter submitted a grant proposal for an in-depth study on the relationship between distiller’s grain feedings and E. coli O157:H7. The million dollar grant was awarded in June 2008. The studies will continue for the next three years, and all studies will take place in commercial feedlots under controlled experiment settings. Funds from the grant will cover the cost of the study and a graduate student scholarship. Megan Jacob, Dr. Nagaraja’s current graduate student, is confident their research will have a positive impact. “The work we are doing will hopefully benefit the food animal industry by leading to a better understanding of the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 in its primary reservoir, resulting in a safer food supply and improved human health,” she said. “Being a part of the research process will greatly enhance my ability to succeed in my own career after graduate school.” “The ultimate goal is to have no E. coli O157:H7 in
cattle,” |
 Dr. T.G. Nagaraja examines a laboratory sample. His research on E. coli O157:H7 was recognized by being awarded with a grant of nearly $1 million.
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CVM hosts
veterinary corps training
A regional training conference for the Army Veterinary Corps was held at the CVM on Monday, Sept. 21. Here, Dr. Rex Brennan, retired Colonel, speaks to the group on meat science and food safety. The Army Veterinary Corps provides animal medicine and food safety services for all branches of the military. The conference was organized through the Veterinary Medical Continuing Education by Linda Johnson, Dr. Chuck Dodd and Capt. Amanda McGuire.
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Check it out at the Library:
Mal Hoover, Medical Illustrator Mal Hoover, a member of the Veterinary Medical Library DISC Services, recently passed the qualifying exam to become a certified medical illustrator. The certification exam is the first and most difficult step in the certification process that has been established and administered by the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators for the Association of Medical Illustrators. A full day was set aside at the Association’s Annual Conference for the testing. Most medical illustrators who receive certification have degrees in medical illustration, but Mal has received her skills on the job here at the College of Veterinary Medicine. All of Mal’s hard work on the job was evidenced by her score of 91 percent on the core questions section of the exam which tested her in the areas of basic science, gross human anatomy, illustration, anatomical drawing, surgical drawing, graphic arts as well as other topics in the field. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from K-State with an emphasis in pre-veterinary medicine, Mal started working at the veterinary college in 1980 working with Kay Conkwright, the college’s first full-time medical illustrator, in the Teaching Resources department of the college, which later became the Instructional Technology Center. Mal’s two semesters in human anatomy class and work in the human cadaver lab as an undergraduate gave her opportunities to observe anatomical structures. She also spent many hours in the necropsy laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine observing various intricacies of animal anatomy. Over the years she perfected her illustration skills and has worked with many veterinary professors on illustration projects. The next step for Mal will be to submit a portfolio of her work to the certification board to demonstrate her illustration abilities. Eight pieces of illustration that specifically cite the subject, viewing audience, medium used, references consulted, and other requirements will be submitted for review. Prior to Mal’s application for certification, all other medical illustrators seeking certification have been human medical illustrators. The board will permit Mal to submit anatomical animal drawings and will have them examined by qualified veterinary anatomists. Future veterinary medical illustrators will have an easier time applying for their certification due to Mal’s certification endeavors. Once her portfolio is submitted to the board it will take about four months for the board to evaluate her illustrations. Ethics is an important aspect of certification and Mal was required to sign a confidentiality agreement to not reveal any testing questions or specifics. Certified medical illustrators must also agree to not plagiarize any other illustrators’ work as well as comply with other practices in their code of ethics. Mal is involved daily in many illustration projects as well as teaching computer applications in her work with the Digital Instruction, Support and Creative (DISC) Services group. Feel free to contact her for graphic design and illustration requests. Congratulations Mal! |
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*bonus photo gallery Developing Scholars Program welcomes a special guest The Developing Scholars Program is an initiative at K-State that matches historically underrepresented students, students of color and first-generation college students in research projects with faculty members when students first come to K-State. The focus of the program is to help students develop a broad knowledge base, obtain experience in their chosen fields, increase diversity across campus and improve student retention.
Recently, the CVM hosted a DSP meeting with special guest
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 Dr. Christine Jenkins (center), director of academic affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, listens to Dr. Mark Weiss, professor in Anatomy & Physiology, explain how he learns new things through his involvement with students in the Developing Scholars Program. Dr. Jenkins is a small animal veterinary internist by training.
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*bonus feature Cat Town
Come to Cat Town! Get all the details on the website: http://www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/alumni/cattown.htm
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K-State CVM students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the 15th Mid-Western Exotic Animal Medicine Conference scheduled for Nov. 1-2, 2008. The conference will provide an update on the medicine, diagnostic techniques, and surgical procedures used in companion birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other small exotic mammals. An optional wet lab on clinical and surgical techniques in reptiles, an interactive master class on behavior of small mammals, and a “behind the scenes” tour of the Sunset Zoo will be offered. Guest conference speakers include Dr. Doug Mader, Marathon (Fla.) Veterinary Clinic; Dr. Teresa Bradley-Bays, Belton, Mo.; and Dr. Connie Ketz-Riley, Oklahoma State University. K-State conference speakers include Drs. James W. Carpenter, Gary West and Judilee Marrow. K-State CVM Students, Faculty and Staff registration form and conference schedule can be found at: https://ww2.vet.k-state.edu/Intranet/ce/pdf/2008/Exotics.pdf Come to the VMCE office, 1 Trotter Hall, if you have questions and to register. |
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Veterinary Career
Opportunities Workshop Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 2008 at the Clarion Hotel This workshop will enhance your job seeking techniques. You will have the opportunity to meet with practitioners who are looking for students interested in mixed animal practice. The workshop will: • Enhance interview skills. • Provide a clear understanding of job expectations from attending practitioners. • Provide networking opportunities and a forum for meeting interested potential employers. Schedule for Students
Friday, Oct. 31:
Saturday, Nov. 1: There is no cost for CVM students to attend, but you DO need to pre-register by noon, Thursday, Oct. 30. You will need to provide a resume with your registration so we can have it copied and ready for the speed interview sessions on Saturday. For a printable registration form, visit http://www.vet.ksu.edu/CE/pdf/2008/Brochure_2008VCOW.pdf. Return form to the CE office, 1 Trotter Hall. |
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Mark your calendars! • December 5: 2nd Annual Conference for Llama and Alpaca Owners • December 12: Small Ruminant Conference |
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Under the Microscope: Linda Rae Walden Rohs, VMTH Business
Office
Place of birth: Binghamton, N.Y. Family information: Pets:
What do you enjoy most about your
job? Life theme song: Something not many people know
about you: If money were no object, what
would you do with your life? |
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| Presenters and speakers | Professional Highlights | |||||||
Dr. Greg Gauer spoke Sept. 20-23 at the American Association of Feline Practitioners Meeting in Atlanta, Ga. Dr. David Anderson spoke Sept. 24-27 at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) in Charlotte, N.C., on the topics of troponin, biosecurity, pain/stress and standards of surgery. Dr. Hans Coetzee also spoke at the AABP meeting on the topic of measuring and managing pain associated with bovine castration.
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Congratulations to the Veterinary
Medical Continuing Education! Their program, VetBytes, was selected to receive
the 2008 Great Plains Regional, Non-Credit Program Award. The VetBytes program is coordinated by Linda Johnson, Marci Ritter and Kent Nelson. Dr. Doug Powell has been quoted extensively in Canadian television, radio and print on a listeriosis outbreak in deli meats which has killed 18 and sickened more than 60 in August and September. He warned customers, especially pregnant women and the elderly, about the hazards of refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods. Dr. Powell was also widely quoted on the FDA’s approval of irradiation for spinach and iceberg lettuce, saying irradiation was an additional tool that can help reduce the threat of foodborne illness, and should be made available at retail so customers can choose. |
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| Personal notes | ||||||||
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Brenda Mayberry has a new member of her extended family. Her cousin Andrea gave birth Sept. 12 to Brady Arman Lee Lantz, 7 lbs. 12 oz. |
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New Arrivals |
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Taryn Oliver - VMTH |
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Recent Departures |
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Feng Pan - DM/P |
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Lifelines is published each month by the Development and Alumni Office at the College of Veterinary Medicine Editors are Joe Montgomery and Amy Jo Coltrane, jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu, ajwright@vet.k-state.edu
Note: Files are in
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
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Favorite
thing about fall:
